A reader of my article on President Bush’s narcissism has called my attention to the following example in an exchange President Bush had back in the distant past when he was peddling social security “reform” [President Discusses Strengthening Social Security in Nebraska, February 4, 2005]:
MS. MORNIN: That’s good, because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.
THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?
MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn’t it? I mean, that is fantastic that you’re doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)
MS. MORNIN: Not much. Not much.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hopefully, this will help you get you sleep to know that when we talk about Social Security, nothing changes.
The reader points out that, unfortunately, the President is correct when he says that working three jobs is “Uniquely American.”
January 10th, 2006
My article Narcissism, the Public, and the President is now available from OpEdNews and ZNet. It greatly expands upon my recent entry here: Wounded vets, narcissism, and the President.
Excerpt:
President Bush spoke last week to wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center and uttered these immortal words indicating a lack of true appreciation for the suffering of the gravely wounded, often permanently disabled soldiers he was speaking to:
“As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself — not here at the hospital, but in combat with a Cedar. I eventually won. The Cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel.”
At a time when the number of severely wounded soldiers is rising, this lack of appreciation is disturbing and portends badly for adequate resources being made available to care for damaged soldiers and veterans over the coming months, years, and decades.
This episode was far from the first time Bush uttered bizarre sounding comments in response to the injuries of others. Who can forget his remarkable message to the hundreds of thousands of people, many poor and black, whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina:
“Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house — he’s lost his entire house — there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.”
While Bush’s comments to wounded GIs were uttered together with the usual platitudes expected on such occasions, these quotes illustrate Bush’s greatest strength and also his greatest weakness, his narcissism….
January 10th, 2006